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Les Misérables
Les Misérables

Chapter CCCLIII

Chapter 353, section 1: What had become of Jean Valjean? Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the
Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
What had become of Jean Valjean?
Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.
This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.
The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.
Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.
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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 CCCLIII

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

Line 1
What had become of Jean Valjean?
Line 2
Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.
Line 3
This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.
Line 4
The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.
Line 5
Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

all

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

antechamber

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

any

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

arranging

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

back

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

Basque

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

become

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

From this reading What had become of Jean Valjean?

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

black

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

bringing

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

coat

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

command

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

Cosette's

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

dishes

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

down

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

eight

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

entered

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

flowers

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

foliage

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

gained

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

garlanded

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

gloves

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

graceful

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

grandfather

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

grandson

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading What had become of Jean Valjean?

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

heed

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

Immediately

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

Jean

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

From this reading What had become of Jean Valjean?

knee-breeches

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

laid

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

laughed

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

Marius

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

months

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

mud

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

musicians

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What had become of Jean Valjean?

old

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

paying

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

powder

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

risen

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

room

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

roses

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

round

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

seated

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

served

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

sofa

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

stockings

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

unperceived

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

Valjean

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

From this reading What had become of Jean Valjean?

very

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

wainscoting

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

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The old wainscoting was garlanded with foliage and flowers; the musicians were seated on the sofa on which they had laid Marius down.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What had become of Jean Valjean?

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Immediately after having laughed, at Cosette’s graceful command, when no one was paying any heed to him, Jean Valjean had risen and had gained the antechamber unperceived.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.

white

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

From this reading Basque, in a black coat, knee-breeches, white stockings and white gloves, was arranging roses round all of the dishes that were to be served.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading This was the very room which, eight months before, he had entered black with mud, with blood and powder, bringing back the grandson to the grandfather.