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His Masterpiece
His Masterpiece

Chapter XI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.
In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.
They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?
At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.
This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

His Masterpiece

Chapter XI

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

Line 1
Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.
Line 2
In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.
Line 3
They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?
Line 4
At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.
Line 5
This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?”

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.”

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading “This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.”

Retired verb US /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading “This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading “In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.”

All words in this reading · 128

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 They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

all

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

allowed

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

always

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

amateur

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

ardent

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

artists

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

became

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

bewail

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

bourgeois

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

buying

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

certain

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

chief

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

child

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

Christine

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

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

Claude

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

Claude's

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

clerk

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

confined

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

convinced

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

crudest

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

deducting

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

Delacroix

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

department

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

detested

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

die

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

direction

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

efforts

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

embarrassment

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

end

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

enough

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

equal

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

expensive

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

few

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

fifty

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

four

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

francs

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

frightened

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

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

Gagnière's

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

genius

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

glance

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

got

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

grace

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

grow

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

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

growing

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

habits

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

how

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

Hue

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

hundred

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

hung

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

impending

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From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

live

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

living

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

M

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

misery

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

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

monomaniacal

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

month

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

more

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

old

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

once

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

only

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

out

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

Paris

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

pictures

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

possess

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

predicting

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

prospect

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

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

proved

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

public

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

purblindness

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

rent

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

rich

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

sale

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

selected

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

side

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

souls

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

starvation

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

thanks

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

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

thousand

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Christine at last began to grow frightened at the prospect of impending misery.

unfortunately

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading At first they had got out of embarrassment, thanks to the sale of a few pictures, Claude having found Gagnière’s old amateur, one of those detested bourgeois who possess the ardent souls of artists, despite the monomaniacal habits in which they are confined.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In Paris, with that growing child beside them, living proved expensive, and the end of each month became terrible, despite her efforts to save in every direction.

works

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

From this reading This one, M. Hue, a retired chief clerk in a public department, was unfortunately not rich enough to be always buying, and he could only bewail the purblindness of the public, which once more allowed a genius to die of starvation; for he himself, convinced, struck by grace at the first glance, had selected Claude’s crudest works, which he hung by the side of his Delacroix, predicting equal fortune for them.

year

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

From this reading They had nothing certain but Claude’s thousand francs a year; and how could they live on fifty francs a month, which was all that was left to them after deducting four hundred francs for the rent?