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Les Misérables
Les Misérables

Chapter CCXXXII

Chapter 232, section 1: Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance. While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.
While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.
The _Flora of Cauteretz_ no longer sold at all.
The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.
M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Les Misérables

Chapter CCXXXII

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.
Line 2
While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.
Line 3
The _Flora of Cauteretz_ no longer sold at all.
Line 4
The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.
Line 5
M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

all

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

From this reading The _Flora of Cauteretz_ no longer sold at all.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

any

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The _Flora of Cauteretz_ no longer sold at all.

Austerlitz

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

bad

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

called

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

Cauteretz

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

From this reading The _Flora of Cauteretz_ no longer sold at all.

cellar

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

chance

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

cultivate

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

dampness

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

descending

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

encountered

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

experiments

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

exposure

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

Father

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

few

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

Flora

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

From this reading The _Flora of Cauteretz_ no longer sold at all.

garden

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

happy

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

heard

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

indigo

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

lead

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

light

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

longer

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

love

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

M

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

Mabeuf

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

Marius

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

melancholy

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The _Flora of Cauteretz_ no longer sold at all.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

only

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

overhead

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

places

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

plants

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

see

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

shade

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

side

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

slowly

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

sold

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

From this reading The _Flora of Cauteretz_ no longer sold at all.

sometimes

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

stairs

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

steps

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

successful

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

From this reading The experiments on indigo had not been successful in the little garden of Austerlitz, which had a bad exposure.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

there

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

From this reading M. Mabeuf could cultivate there only a few plants which love shade and dampness.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

walking

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Marius no longer went to see any one, but he sometimes encountered Father Mabeuf by chance.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading While Marius was slowly descending those melancholy steps which may be called the cellar stairs, and which lead to places without light, where the happy can be heard walking overhead, M. Mabeuf was descending on his side.