Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Les Misérables
Les Misérables

Chapter LX

Chapter 60, section 1: The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire. These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholst
Context Illustration Reading 1/56 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 LX

Reading 1/56 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.
Line 2
These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.
Line 3
The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.
Line 4
The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.
Line 5
This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.

Learner Dictionary

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

posting noun US /ˈpoʊstɪŋ/

a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement

From this reading “The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.”

Collocations
The postingA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
posting serviceA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 75

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 wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

armed

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

Arras

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

axles

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

black

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

From this reading This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.

box

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

cabriolet

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

From this reading This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.

cabriolets

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

coffer

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

despatch

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

distance

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

Empire

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

fawn-colored

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

formed

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

Germany

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

hung

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

immense

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

inside

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

keep

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

leather

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

M

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

mail-wagons

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

oblong

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

offensive

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

operated

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

other

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

painted

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

From this reading This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

period

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

placed

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

postboy

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

postingnounUS /ˈpoʊstɪŋ/

a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

road

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

seats

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

seen

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

service

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

small

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

springs

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

sur

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

traveller

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

two

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

two-wheeled

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

upholstered

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

vehicle

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

From this reading The despatch box, an immense oblong coffer, was placed behind the vehicle and formed a part of it.

vehicles

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The posting service from Arras to M. sur M. was still operated at this period by small mail-wagons of the time of the Empire.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

wheels

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The wheels were armed with those long, offensive axles which keep other vehicles at a distance, and which may still be seen on the road in Germany.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading These mail-wagons were two-wheeled cabriolets, upholstered inside with fawn-colored leather, hung on springs, and having but two seats, one for the postboy, the other for the traveller.

yellow

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

From this reading This coffer was painted black, and the cabriolet yellow.