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Cousin Pons
Cousin Pons

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Cousin Pons
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
To take a striking example.
Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.
He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.
And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?
Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.
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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.

Cousin Pons

Chapter XII

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
To take a striking example.
Line 2
Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.
Line 3
He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.
Line 4
And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?
Line 5
Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.”

Exact adjective US /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading “And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.”

Ignorant noun US /ˈignorant/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To take a striking example.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 To take a striking example.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

artist

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

calling

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

cannot

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

colors

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

conscious

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

example

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

From this reading To take a striking example.

general

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

Genius

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

guess

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

human

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

idiot

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

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

ignorantnounUS /ˈignorant/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

impression

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

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

light

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

man

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

mental

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

most

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

nature

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

observers

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

once

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

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

opposite

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

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

Paris

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

Parisian

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

particular

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

passing

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

path

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

people

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

presence

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

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

profession

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

sensation

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

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

shedding

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

street

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

From this reading Most observers of human nature in general, and Parisian nature in particular, can guess the profession or calling of the man in the street.

streets

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

striking

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

From this reading To take a striking example.

sun

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To take a striking example.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To take a striking example.

visible

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

walk

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

From this reading Genius is so visible in a man that a great artist cannot walk about the streets of Paris but the most ignorant people are conscious of his passing.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading And who does not know an idiot at once by an impression the exact opposite of the sensation of the presence of genius?

world

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

From this reading He is a sun, as it were, in the mental world, shedding light that colors everything in its path.