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Venus in Furs
Venus in Furs

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Venus in Furs is here in full — 414 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Venus in Furs
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.
He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.
He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.
For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Venus in Furs

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Venus in Furs is here in full — 414 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.
Line 2
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.
Line 3
He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.
Line 4
He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.
/hiː ˈpʌblɪʃt ˈsevrəl hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl wɜːrks bʌt suːn ɡeɪv ʌp hɪz ˌækəˈdemɪk kərˈɪr tuː dɪˈvoʊt hɪmˈself ˈhoʊli tuː ˈlɪtərətʃər/
Line 5
For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

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.

academic adjective US /ˌækəˈdemɪk/

associated with academia or an academy

From this reading “He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.”

edited adjective US /ˈedətəd/

improved or corrected by critical editing

From this reading “For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.”

Francophile noun US /ˈfræŋkəfaɪl/

an admirer of France and everything French

From this reading “For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.”

Galicia noun US /ɡəˈlɪʃiə/

a region (and former kingdom) in northwestern Spain on the Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay

From this reading “Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.”

international adjective US /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/

concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations

From this reading “For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.”

jurisprudence noun US /ˌdʒʊrəˈspruːdəns/

the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do

From this reading “He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.”

Leipzig noun US /ˈlaɪpsɪɡ/

a city in southeastern Germany famous for fairs; formerly a music and publishing center

From this reading “For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.”

Prague noun US /prɑːɡ/

the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic in the western part of the country; a cultural and commercial center since the 14th century

From this reading “He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.”

All words in this reading · 74

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.

1225

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

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

1836

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

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

1857

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

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

27

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

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

academicadjectiveUS /ˌækəˈdemɪk/

associated with academia or an academy

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

afterwardadverbUS /ˈæftərwərd/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

Auf

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

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

AustriannounUS /ˈɔːstriən/

a native or inhabitant of Austria

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

booknounUS /bʊk/

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

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/

brought into existence

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

careernounUS /kərˈɪr/

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

circulationnounUS /ˈsɜːrkjəleɪʃən/

the dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines)

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

copiesnounUS /ˈkɑːpiz/

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

der

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

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

devoteverbUS /dɪˈvoʊt/

give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

distributedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɪbjətəd/

spread out or scattered about or divided up

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

editedadjectiveUS /ˈedətəd/

improved or corrected by critical editing

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

FrancophilenounUS /ˈfræŋkəfaɪl/

an admirer of France and everything French

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

GalicianounUS /ɡəˈlɪʃiə/

a region (and former kingdom) in northwestern Spain on the Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

Graznoun

an industrial city is southeastern Austria

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/

of or relating to the study of history

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

Höhe

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

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

internationaladjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/

concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

jurisprudencenounUS /ˌdʒʊrəˈspruːdəns/

the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

LeipzignounUS /ˈlaɪpsɪɡ/

a city in southeastern Germany famous for fairs; formerly a music and publishing center

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

Lemberg

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

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

Leopold

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

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

PraguenounUS /prɑːɡ/

the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic in the western part of the country; a cultural and commercial center since the 14th century

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

printedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

removedadjectiveUS /riˈmuːvd/

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

reviewnounUS /ˌriːˈvjuː/

a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

Sacher-Masoch

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

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

stronglyadverbUS /ˈstrɔːŋli/

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

studiedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdid/

produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

teachernounUS /ˈtiːtʃər/

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

typenounUS /taɪp/

a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading Of this book, intended for private circulation, only 1225 copies have been printed, and type afterward distributed.

universitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading He studied jurisprudence at Prague and Graz, and in 1857 became a teacher at the latter university.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

von

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

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, on January 27, 1836.

whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

worksnounUS /wɜːrks/

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading He published several historical works, but soon gave up his academic career to devote himself wholly to literature.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading For a number of years he edited the international review, _Auf der Höhe_, at Leipzig, but later removed to Paris, for he was always strongly Francophile.

Chapter 1 of Venus in Furs by Leopold, Ritter von Sacher-Masoch holds 414 sentences, grouped into 83 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.

What does chapter 1 of Venus in Furs contain?

Chapter 1 holds 414 sentences of Venus in Furs, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Venus in Furs by Leopold, Ritter von Sacher-Masoch exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 414 sentences, grouped into 83 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Venus in Furs?

Work through the 83 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 83 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Venus in Furs

Common questions about reading Venus in Furs by Leopold, Ritter von Sacher-Masoch on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Venus in Furs?

Yes. All 2834 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6852 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Venus in Furs is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6852, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Venus in Furs take to read?

About 236 minutes of reading across 567 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Venus in Furs section by section

How to work through Venus in Furs section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 7 chapters of Venus in Furs to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Venus in Furs

Words and structures a reader meets early in Venus in Furs, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Intended
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Venus in Furs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Private
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Venus in Furs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Circulation
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Venus in Furs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Copies
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Venus in Furs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.