DiotimosReading Desk

Movement

Slip through or into

se glisser

The reflexive verb describes unobtrusive movement into a narrow space or group.

From the book

The Gods Are Athirst

Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Browse this book’s lexicon →

Meaning

Lemma.

The reflexive verb describes unobtrusive movement into a narrow space or group. Latecomers slip forward in the bread line to gain a scarce place; Gamelin slips into a group to learn what has happened to Marat. Similar movement can serve competitive advantage or access to information, so the verb is not inherently deceitful.

Places to read

  1. Chapter VI, paragraph 2Frenchse glisser en avant: Slip forward. Late arrivals seek better access to bread.
  2. Chapter VII, paragraph 48Frenchs’étant glissé dans un de ces groupes: Having slipped into one of the groups. Gamelin hears the news of the assassination.