La Chute p32-34

infatigable

tireless; never getting tired; very energetic or persistent

discret érudit

quiet and modest scholar; someone very learned but not showy or loud about it

douer

to gift; to endow; to give a natural talent or quality (être doué = to be talented)

la chair

flesh; meat; the human body (often in contrast with the soul or spirit)

s’asservir

to enslave oneself; to become dependent or controlled by something

détendu

relaxed; loose; calm (physical or mental)

au-devant

toward; to meet someone halfway (aller au-devant de quelqu’un = go to meet)

bienveillante fierté

kind or benevolent pride; pride mixed with warmth or goodwill

à force d’être homme, surhomme

by being fully human, becoming more than human; literary expression about surpassing oneself

buisson ardent

burning bush (Biblical reference); symbol of divine presence or intense revelation

être comblé

to be fulfilled; to be very satisfied or happy; to have everything one wants

fût

past subjunctive of être; also means barrel or cask; literary or formal usage

soulever

to lift; to raise; to stir up (emotion, questions, protest)

ravissement

delight; great joy; rapture; also kidnapping/abduction in legal usage

combler

to fill; to satisfy completely; to make very happy

s’élancer

to rush forward; to leap; to launch oneself suddenly

rassasier

to satisfy hunger; to fill up completely (often with food)

hocher

to nod; to shake slightly (hocher la tête = nod or shake head)

engager

to engage; to hire; to commit; to involve; to start (a conversation, action)

bon marché

cheap; good value; inexpensive

durer

to last; to continue in time

se débarrasser

to get rid of; to free oneself from

faire face

to face; to confront; to deal with a difficulty

disposition

arrangement; tendency; mood; willingness; legal provision

pousser

to push; to grow (plants, hair); to urge or encourage; to emit (a cry)