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Les Misérables
Les Misérables

Chapter XXXVIII

Chapter 38, section 1: There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists. This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.
This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.
It was situated in Boulanger Lane.
Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.
Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Les Misérables

Chapter XXXVIII

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.
Line 2
This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.
Line 3
It was situated in Boulanger Lane.
Line 4
Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.
Line 5
Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

Learner Dictionary

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

near adverb US /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading “There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.”

Collocations
There wasA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
was atA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 71

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 There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

back

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

battle

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

big

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

board

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

From this reading Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.

Boulanger

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

From this reading It was situated in Boulanger Lane.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

carrying

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

century

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

consisted

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

cook-shop

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

door

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

From this reading Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

epaulettes

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

exists

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

flat

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

From this reading Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.

general

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

gilt

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

husband

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

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was situated in Boulanger Lane.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was situated in Boulanger Lane.

kept

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

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

Lane

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

From this reading It was situated in Boulanger Lane.

large

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

latter

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

longer

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

man

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

Montfermeil

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

nailed

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

From this reading Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.

named

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

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.

painted

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

Paris

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

people

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

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

picture

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

probably

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

quarter

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

red

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

represented

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

resembled

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

silver

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

situated

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

From this reading It was situated in Boulanger Lane.

smoke

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

some

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

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

sort

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

spots

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

stars

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

There

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

Thénardier

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

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

wall

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

From this reading Over the door there was a board nailed flat against the wall.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

wearing

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

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading There was, at Montfermeil, near Paris, during the first quarter of this century, a sort of cook-shop which no longer exists.

wife

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

From this reading This cook-shop was kept by some people named Thénardier, husband and wife.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Upon this board was painted something which resembled a man carrying another man on his back, the latter wearing the big gilt epaulettes of a general, with large silver stars; red spots represented blood; the rest of the picture consisted of smoke, and probably represented a battle.