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Les Misérables
Les Misérables

Chapter CCCLXIII

Chapter 363, section 1: CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he reco
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.
Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.
He put on his old workingman’s clothes.
As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.
He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.
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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 CCCLXIII

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.
Line 2
Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.
Line 3
He put on his old workingman’s clothes.
Line 4
As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.
Line 5
He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

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 “CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.”

Perspiration noun US /ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən/

sweat produced by the body

From this reading “He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

arms

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

breath

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

CART

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

clothes

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

From this reading He put on his old workingman’s clothes.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

difficulty

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

doubt

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

dressed

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

dressing

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

effort

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

elbow

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

evening

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

fact

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

felt

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

find

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

forehead

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

halted

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

Jean

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

longer

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

From this reading As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.

made

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

many

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

merely

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

obliged

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

old

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

From this reading He put on his old workingman’s clothes.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

out

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

From this reading As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.

pause

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

perspirationnounUS /ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃən/

sweat produced by the body

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

posture

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

preferred

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

From this reading As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.

preoccupation

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

pressure

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

pulse

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

put

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

From this reading He put on his old workingman’s clothes.

putting

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

raising

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

recognized

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

sitting

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

some

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

supreme

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.

Then

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

times

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.

trickle

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

up

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

From this reading Then, no doubt under the pressure of some supreme preoccupation, he made an effort, drew himself up into a sitting posture and dressed himself.

Valjean

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

waistcoat

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

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

weaker

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he no longer went out, he had returned to them and preferred them.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading He was obliged to pause many times while dressing himself; merely putting his arms through his waistcoat made the perspiration trickle from his forehead.

workingman's

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

From this reading He put on his old workingman’s clothes.

wrist

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

From this reading CART One evening Jean Valjean found difficulty in raising himself on his elbow; he felt of his wrist and could not find his pulse; his breath was short and halted at times; he recognized the fact that he was weaker than he had ever been before.