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Les Misérables, V. 3/5: Marius
Les Misérables, V. 3/5: Marius

Chapter XXXII

Cover illustration for Les Misérables, V. 3/5: Marius
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A PROVIDENTIAL PEEP-HOLE.
Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.
For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.
When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!
Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.
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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.

Les Misérables, V. 3/5: Marius

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A PROVIDENTIAL PEEP-HOLE.
Line 2
Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.
Line 3
For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.
Line 4
When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!
Line 5
Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.”

Distress noun US /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading “Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.”

Phantom noun US /ˈfæn.təm/

A ghost or apparition; a figment of the imagination or a hidden dweller.

From this reading “Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.”

Wages plural noun US /ˈweɪdʒɪz/

money or a reward earned for work

From this reading “Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 A PROVIDENTIAL PEEP-HOLE.

all

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

also

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

bad

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

beings

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

bread

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

child

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

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

courage

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

day

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

defenceless

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

extinguished

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

extremity

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

fail

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

fire

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

five

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

food

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

just

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

known

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

light

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

limit

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

lived

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

man

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

man's

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

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

Marius

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

misery

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

moral

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

now

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

once

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

only

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

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

past

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

PEEP-HOLE

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

From this reading A PROVIDENTIAL PEEP-HOLE.

phantomnounUS /ˈfæn.təm/

A ghost or apparition; a figment of the imagination or a hidden dweller.

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

poverty

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

PROVIDENTIAL

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

From this reading A PROVIDENTIAL PEEP-HOLE.

reached

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

real

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

resources

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

saw

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

see

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

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

seems

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

seen

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

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

surround

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

then

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

truth

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

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

wagesplural nounUS /ˈweɪdʒɪz/

money or a reward earned for work

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

want

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

witnessed

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.

woe

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

From this reading When man has reached the last extremity he has also reached the limit of his resources; and then, woe to the defenceless beings that surround him!

woman's

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

From this reading For, in truth, he who has only seen man's misery has seen nothing, he must see woman's misery; while he who has seen woman's misery has seen nothing, for he must see the misery of the child.

Work

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

From this reading Work, wages, bread, fire, courage, and food will all fail him at once; the light of day seems extinguished outside, the moral light is extinguished within him.

years

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

From this reading Marius had lived for the past five years in poverty, want, and even distress, but he now saw that he had never known what real misery was, and he had just witnessed it; it was the phantom which bad just passed before him.