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The Conquest of Plassans (La Conquête de Plassans)
The Conquest of Plassans (La Conquête de Plassans)

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for The Conquest of Plassans (La Conquête de Plassans)
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.
He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.
As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.
Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.
He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.
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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.

The Conquest of Plassans (La Conquête de Plassans)

Chapter XX

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.
Line 2
He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.
Line 3
As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.
Line 4
Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.
Line 5
He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

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 “He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.”

Excited adjective US /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

very enthusiastic or eager

From this reading “He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

all

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

became

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

black

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

brush

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

careful

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

carefully

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

coal

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

completed

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

dropped

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

dust

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

enjoy

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

very enthusiastic or eager

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

extreme

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

fallen

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

few

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

fragments

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

gently

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

get

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

gradually

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

heavily

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

hop

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

inspection

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

joy

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

knees

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

lingered

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

man

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

means

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

moment

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

more

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

off

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

panting

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

pile

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

pleasure

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

precision

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

pyres

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

ran

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

ready

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

rubbed

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

satisfaction

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

savage

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

From this reading He gradually became quite excited with satisfaction, and dropped on to his hands and knees again, and began to hop about, panting more heavily in his savage joy.

sight

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

square-set

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

stairs

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

steps

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

swept

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

From this reading As a few fragments of coal had fallen on the stairs, he ran off to get a brush, and carefully swept the black dust from the steps.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

Then

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

things

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

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

together

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

viewing

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

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Then he completed his inspection with the careful precision of a man who means to do things as they ought to be done.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He went from pile to pile, took pleasure in viewing the square-set pyres, and gently rubbed his hands together with an appearance of extreme satisfaction.

work

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

From this reading When all was ready, he lingered for a moment to enjoy the sight of his work.