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Les Misérables
Les Misérables

Chapter CCXIV

Chapter 214, section 1: PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature. His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassi
Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
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PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
“These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.
Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Les Misérables

Chapter CCXIV

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.
Line 2
His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.
Line 3
Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.
Line 4
“These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.
Line 5
Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

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 “Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.”

Maiden noun, literary US /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading “Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading ““These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading ““These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.”

All words in this reading · 103

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 His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

acquainted

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

all

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.

beautiful

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

brahmin

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

called

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

compassion

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

contrary

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

crushed

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

dense

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

developed

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

diminished

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

directed

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

dreamer

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

elucidated

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

energetic

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

enigmas

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

eyes

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

faculty

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

firm

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

glance

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

habits

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

hole

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

hoped

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

indignant

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

intact

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

irritation

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

Jondrette

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

judge

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

just

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

kindliness

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

knew

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

Leblanc

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

Luxembourg

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

M

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

maidennoun, literaryUS /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

man

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

Marius

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

meditation

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

monsters

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

more

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.

nature

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

nest

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

NOSTER

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

Now

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

PATER

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

perhaps

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

pity

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

power

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From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

rendered

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From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

said

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From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

see

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

severity

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

solitary

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From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

solved

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

stamped

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From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.

sympathy

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From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

toad

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

viper

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

vipers

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

From this reading Now, it was into a hole of vipers that his glance had just been directed, it was a nest of monsters that he had beneath his eyes.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

waxing

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

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading PATER NOSTER Marius, dreamer as he was, was, as we have said, firm and energetic by nature.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading His habits of solitary meditation, while they had developed in him sympathy and compassion, had, perhaps, diminished the faculty for irritation, but had left intact the power of waxing indignant; he had the kindliness of a brahmin, and the severity of a judge; he took pity upon a toad, but he crushed a viper.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he had hoped to see solved had been elucidated; on the contrary, all of them had been rendered more dense, if anything; he knew nothing more about the beautiful maiden of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, except that Jondrette was acquainted with them.

wretches

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

From this reading “These wretches must be stamped upon,” said he.