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 After this he made him a sign to rise.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After this he made him a sign to rise.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
authority
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
beast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
breast-band
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
burden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
condensed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
dragging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
emerged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
enchained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jean Valjean had the pistol in his hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean had the pistol in his hand.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After this he made him a sign to rise.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
impeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
indefinable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
Javert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
Jean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
knot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
limbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this he made him a sign to rise.
martingale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
obeyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
pistol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean had the pistol in his hand.
prisoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
rise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this he made him a sign to rise.
rope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this he made him a sign to rise.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
supremacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Javert obeyed with that indefinable smile in which the supremacy of enchained authority is condensed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After this he made him a sign to rise.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After this he made him a sign to rise.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
untied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
Valjean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
wine-shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Jean Valjean was left alone with Javert, he untied the rope which fastened the prisoner across the middle of the body, and the knot of which was under the table.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Jean Valjean took Javert by the martingale, as one would take a beast of burden by the breast-band, and, dragging the latter after him, emerged from the wine-shop slowly, because Javert, with his impeded limbs, could take only very short steps.
