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L'Assommoir
L'Assommoir

Chapter X · Disasters and Changes

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Context Illustration Reading 1/96 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.
Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.
A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.
Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.
When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

L'Assommoir

Chapter X · Disasters and Changes

Reading 1/96 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.
Line 2
Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.
Line 3
A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.
Line 4
Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.
Line 5
When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.”

Insisted verb US /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading “When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.”

Lest conjunction US /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading “Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

all

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

Almost

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

bed

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

Bijards

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

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

Bru

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

came

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

chamber

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

child

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

closet

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

commode

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

Coupeaus

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

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

court

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

door

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

elbows

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

Father

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

felt

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

final

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

Gervaise

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

going

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

hand

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

hole

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

insistedverbUS /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

large

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

lestconjunctionUS /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

light

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

lodging

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

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

married

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

mere

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

move

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

much

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

Nana's

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

new

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

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

night

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

now

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

one's

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

opposite

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

out

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

polishing

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

quarters

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

roof

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

room

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

separate

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

slept

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

small

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

spent

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

stairs

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

stifle

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

up

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

ventilation

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

way

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

window

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

wished

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.