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 Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
benevolencenounUS /bəˈnev.əl.əns/
The quality of being well meaning; kindness and generosity. (Lòng nhân ái, sự nhân từ độ lượng.)
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
brahmin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
cleared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
compassion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
contemplation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
contrary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
COUNTERPLOT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT.
crushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
dense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
developing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
diminished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
dreamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
energetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
enigmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
habits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
hoped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
indignant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
intact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
irritated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
Jondrette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
judge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
Leblanc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
Luxembourg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
Marius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
nest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
pitied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
PLOT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
solitary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
solved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
sternness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
sympathy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
toad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
villains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
viper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
vipers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At present he had a nest of vipers before him, and he said, "I must set my foot upon these villains."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Marius, dreamer though he was, possessed, as we have said, a firm and energetic nature.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Not one of the enigmas which he hoped to see cleared up was solved; on the contrary, they had become more dense, and he had learned no more about the pretty girl of the Luxembourg and the man whom he called M. Leblanc, save that Jondrette knew them.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading His habits of solitary contemplation, by developing compassion and sympathy within him, had perhaps diminished the power of being irritated, but left intact the power of becoming indignant: he had the benevolence of a brahmin and the sternness of a judge, and while he pitied a toad he crushed a viper.