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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Jean Valjean had been dazzled by the idea of liberty.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But it was not long before this ray paled.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had believed in a new life.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was not long before this ray paled.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Jean Valjean had been dazzled by the idea of liberty.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
dazzled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean had been dazzled by the idea of liberty.
departure
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From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
galleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jean Valjean had been dazzled by the idea of liberty.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had believed in a new life.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean had been dazzled by the idea of liberty.
improbable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was not long before this ray paled.
Jean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading Jean Valjean had been dazzled by the idea of liberty.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had believed in a new life.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But it was not long before this ray paled.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had believed in a new life.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it was not long before this ray paled.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
paled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not long before this ray paled.
passport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
penetrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
perceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
provided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
ray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
speedily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But it was not long before this ray paled.
ThoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
unprecedented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
Valjean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
vivid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was not long before this ray paled.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the hour came for him to take his departure from the galleys, when Jean Valjean heard in his ear the strange words, _Thou art free!_ the moment seemed improbable and unprecedented; a ray of vivid light, a ray of the true light of the living, suddenly penetrated within him.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He very speedily perceived what sort of liberty it is to which a yellow passport is provided.
