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Bel Ami
Bel Ami

Chapter III

Cover illustration for Bel Ami
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.
He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.
He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.
The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.
Duroy's room was on the fifth floor.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Bel Ami

Chapter III

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.
Line 2
He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.
Line 3
He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.
Line 4
The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.
Line 5
Duroy's room was on the fifth floor.

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.”

Disgust noun US /dɪsˈɡʌst/

a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant

From this reading “The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.”

FIRST noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.”

All words in this reading · 74

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

air

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

articles

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

ATTEMPTS

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

begin

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

Boursault

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

From this reading He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

came

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

From this reading He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.

decided

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

desire

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

disgustnounUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/

a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

dreaming

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

Duroy

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

Duroy's

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

From this reading Duroy's room was on the fifth floor.

experienced

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

families

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

felt

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

fifth

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

From this reading Duroy's room was on the fifth floor.

FIRSTnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

floor

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

From this reading Duroy's room was on the fifth floor.

future

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

Georges

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

hesitated

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

home

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

inclined

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

inhaling

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

live

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

lived

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

M

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

men

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

mounted

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

night

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

occupied

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

occurred

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Duroy's room was on the fifth floor.

once

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

ordered

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

rapidly

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

From this reading He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.

reached

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

return

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

room

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

From this reading Duroy's room was on the fifth floor.

Rue

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

From this reading He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.

sensation

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

series

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

soft

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

staircase

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

street

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

stroll

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

tenement

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

twenty

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.

walked

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

From this reading He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault.

Walter

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

wealthy

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading FIRST ATTEMPTS When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.

work

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

From this reading He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work.

workingmen

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

From this reading The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families--families of workingmen--and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do.