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 The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
bastard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
beings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
belonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
bourgeois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
class
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
coarse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
combines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
defects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
denominated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
generous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑnɪst/
truthful and trustworthy
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpʌls/
a sudden strong desire to act
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
inferior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
intelligent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
lean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
pitiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
possessing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
rejoices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
scale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
sketch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
specimen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
successful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Who were these Thénardiers?
Thénardiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who were these Thénardiers?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
vices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Who were these Thénardiers?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The mouse which had been caught was a pitiful specimen; but the cat rejoices even over a lean mouse.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Who were these Thénardiers?
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We will complete the sketch later on.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let us say a word or two of them now.
workingman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These beings belonged to that bastard class composed of coarse people who have been successful, and of intelligent people who have descended in the scale, which is between the class called “middle” and the class denominated as “inferior,” and which combines some of the defects of the second with nearly all the vices of the first, without possessing the generous impulse of the workingman nor the honest order of the bourgeois.
