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Germinal
Germinal

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for Germinal
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.
When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.
Maheu himself had agreed with reluctance.
Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.
In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Germinal

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.
Line 2
When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.
Line 3
Maheu himself had agreed with reluctance.
Line 4
Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.
Line 5
In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.”

Comrades noun US /ˈkɑːmrædz/

people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers

From this reading “The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Maheu himself had agreed with reluctance.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

action

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

advice

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

affairs

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

agreed

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

From this reading Maheu himself had agreed with reluctance.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

back

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

backs

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

bend

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

came

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

chosen

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/

people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

day

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

delegates

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

despair

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

evening

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

fell

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

following

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

gave

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

held

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Maheu himself had agreed with reluctance.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

house

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

injustice

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

learnt

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

Maheu

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

From this reading Maheu himself had agreed with reluctance.

Maheude

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

man

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

management

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

manager's

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

meeting

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

moment

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

morrow

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

preferring

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

previous

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

proceed

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

race

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

Rasseneur's

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

reluctance

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

From this reading Maheu himself had agreed with reluctance.

resignation

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

some

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

sound

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

spite

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

street

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

thrown

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

trembling

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

usually

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

wanted

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

way

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When, in the evening, Maheude learnt that her man was one of them, she was in despair, and asked him if he wanted them to be thrown on the street.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

wife

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

From this reading In the management of affairs he usually gave way to his wife, whose advice was sound.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Maheu himself had agreed with reluctance.

wretchedness

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

yoke

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

From this reading Both of them, when the moment of action came, in spite of the injustice of their wretchedness fell back on the resignation of their race, trembling before the morrow, preferring still to bend their backs to the yoke.

Étienne

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

From this reading The previous day, at a meeting held at Rasseneur's, Étienne and some comrades had chosen the delegates who were to proceed on the following day to the manager's house.